News

Exclusive analysis article with latest market updates, and in-time news feeds.

[Market Insight]: US–China Copper Scrap Trade Faces Structural Shift Amid Potential Export Restrictions
The global copper scrap market is entering a period of structural tightening as geopolitical tensions and industrial policy increasingly reshape trade flows. The relationship between the United States and China sits at the center of this transition, particularly as Washington considers restricting exports of high-quality copper scrap in 2027 while China remains heavily dependent on imported secondary copper feedstock. China’s copper scrap imports remained strong in 2024 at 441,080 MT, underscoring continued demand from secondary refiners serving the EV, renewable energy, power grid, and manufacturing sectors. However, imports have collapsed in 2025 to 143,271 MT, with current projections for 2026 falling further to just 5,305 MT. The sharp decline signals a rapid deterioration in China’s direct access to imported scrap feedstock amid rising geopolitical friction and tariffs. China’s existing 10% tariff on US-origin scrap has already reduced the competitiveness of direct shipments, although clean high-grade material has continued to move because of favorable processing economics. Trade flows indicate that copper scrap is increasingly being rerouted through Southeast Asia rather than moving directly from the United States into China. US copper scrap exports to ASEAN rose from 170,687 tonnes in 2024 to 222,993 tonnes in 2025, while Chinese imports of copper scrap from ASEAN increased from 434,176 tonnes to 529,345 tonnes over the same period. The correlation strongly suggests ASEAN is emerging as a critical intermediary hub for scrap aggregation, processing, blending, and re-export into China. This shift reflects a broader restructuring of the global scrap trade as market participants adapt to tariffs, geopolitical risk, and the growing probability of tighter controls on high-quality US scrap exports. Countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are increasingly functioning as alternative routing channels within the global secondary copper supply chain. The timing is significant because the United States continues to export around 1 million tonnes of copper scrap globally in 2025 while domestic secondary refinery production remains limited at approximately 50kt. This imbalance is becoming central to the policy debate in Washington. As US demand for copper accelerates through grid modernization, electrification, AI-driven data center expansion, and defense manufacturing, policymakers are increasingly questioning whether high-grade recyclable copper should continue flowing overseas while the US remains dependent on imported refined copper. Current policy discussions focus on retaining a larger share of premium copper scrap within the domestic market beginning as early as 2027. Although proposals currently stop short of a full export ban, any retention mechanism would still materially reduce export availability for high-quality grades such as bare bright copper and No.1 copper scrap. For China, tighter access to premium scrap has important implications beyond the secondary market. High-quality scrap directly competes with refined copper cathode because it offers high recovery rates with lower processing intensity than primary smelting. If imported scrap availability continues to tighten, Chinese refiners will likely need to increase refined copper purchases to maintain output levels. This dynamic could become increasingly supportive for refined copper markets globally. The primary copper market is already facing structural constraints from weak mine supply growth, declining ore grades, permitting delays, and years of underinvestment in new projects. A simultaneous tightening in high-grade scrap availability would amplify pressure on refined copper balances precisely as demand linked to electrification continues to strengthen. As a result, the market could see narrower scrap discounts relative to cathode, firmer copper premiums in Asia, and increased volatility across both COMEX and LME pricing. The secondary copper market is therefore becoming an increasingly important variable in the broader refined copper outlook. Ultimately, the copper scrap market is no longer operating purely on economic arbitrage. Strategic resource security is becoming a defining driver of trade flows and policy decisions. The rapid growth in ASEAN intermediary trade, combined with collapsing direct Chinese scrap imports and growing US policy intervention, signals that the global copper supply chain is entering a new phase of fragmentation — one that is likely to tighten both scrap and refined copper markets into 2026 and beyond. Author: Shairaz Ahmed, Principal Market Analyst For more information or to discuss market dynamics, you can contact me on shairazahmed@smm.cn
May 26, 2026 17:23
[Market Insight]: US–China Copper Scrap Trade Faces Structural Shift Amid Potential Export Restrictions
Silver: Why the $100 mark is both within reach and dangerous
Silver: Why the $100 mark is both within reach and dangerous
May 28, 2026 Silber-Anleger erleben derzeit ein zähes Ringen: Kurzfristig fehlt dem Markt unterhalb der Marke von 75 US-Dollar jSilver investors are currently facing a tough struggle: In the short term, the market lacks the necessary momentum below the $75-per-ounce mark. Yet explosive momentum is building in the background. While Bank of America (BofA) believes another jump to the three-digit $100 mark is possible before the end of the year, the analyst team also warns against premature optimism. Such a price surge is unlikely to signal a lasting trend reversal. Rather, according to the analysts, the silver market is facing a profound fundamental shift in which the industrial base is increasingly crumbling. The balancing act between precious metal fantasy and industrial reality Bank of America’s latest precious metals analysis paints a picture of a divided market. In the short term, silver has the potential to break through the $100-per-ounce mark in the wake of a sustained gold rally. However, this speculative high is unlikely to last: Analysts are already forecasting a return of the price to a level of around $75 as early as the second quarter of 2027. Currently, the gold-silver ratio of 59.43 points reflects this indecision. It remains in the middle of its months-long consolidation range—an indicator of a market that is sensitively oscillating between short-term speculation and a fundamental revaluation. Although the silver market is heading toward its sixth consecutive year of deficit, the sustainability of this supply shortage is under massive threat in the medium term. Solar Industry in Austerity Mode: The Key Demand Pillar Wavers The strongest headwind for the silver price is emerging, of all places, in its former flagship segment—photovoltaics. Faced with historically high silver prices, solar module manufacturers are responding with drastic efficiency measures. Under sustained margin pressure, they are systematically reducing the silver content in the cells or switching to cheaper substitute metals. According to BofA analysts, silver demand from the solar sector already reached its historic peak last year. This trend is exacerbated by stagnating solar production in China and the prospect of declining new installations in the current year. Since demand growth in other industrial sectors is too weak to close the gap left by the solar industry, the silver market faces a fundamental easing of supply-demand dynamics: as early as 2026, the deficit could shrink by a massive 90%. Should industrial demand continue to weaken, even moderate sales by financial investors would be enough to push the market into a physical surplus. Investors as the Deciding Factor In this changed environment, silver is likely to be perceived and traded more as a classic precious metal rather than an industrial metal in the future. Investor demand thus becomes the decisive price factor. This carries risks, as precious metals have recently suffered from the restrictive interest rate policy and expectations of further rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Rising yields increase the opportunity costs for non-interest-bearing investments and weigh equally on both gold and silver. Nevertheless, silver remains a strategic element of the global energy transition. An abrupt slump in solar demand is not expected. Demand is further fueled by geopolitical conflicts such as the war in Iran, which continues to drive the global push for green energy and alternatives to fossil fuels. Geopolitics and Trade Barriers as Price Drivers Just how volatile the physical market can be was already evident at the start of the year, when the silver price briefly shot up to $120 per ounce amid fierce competition for physical metal. A major source of uncertainty remains the upcoming renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Since Mexico and Canada are the main suppliers to the U.S. market, significant trade risks loom. Concerns about potential tariffs have already prompted banks and market participants to massively increase their holdings within the U.S. This domestic hoarding is draining important liquidity from the global market. According to BofA, this physical withdrawal is the main reason silver has recently managed to climb back above the $80 mark—even though physically backed ETFs are continuously recording outflows and the latest CFTC data signal rather subdued interest in new net long positions in the futures markets. Conclusion: In the short term, silver retains the potential for a breakout toward the $100 mark. However, the foundation for this rise is becoming more fragile. Investors betting on silver should keep an eye on the weakening industrial data, which could set tight time limits on the rally. Source: https://goldinvest.de/en/silver-why-the-usd100-mark-is-both-within-reach-and-dangerous
23 hours ago
Solid-State Battery Monthly (May 2026): Semi-Solid EVs Launch, All-Solid Targets  $0.15/Wh
​​​​​​​Industrialization accelerated sharply in May: SAIC MG 4X launched with a semi-solid battery (53.9kWh, 510km range). Gotion Hi-Tech unveiled its “Jinshi” all-solid-state battery (400Wh/kg) aiming for 1 yuan/Wh cost by 2030. Qingtao Energy’s 5-billion-yuan, 20GWh project advanced. MIIT started solid-state battery standards.
May 30, 2026 21:06
[SMM Analysis] Tata Steel’s Two-Speed Transformation: Record India Earnings Confront Europe’s Green Steel Challenge
Tata Steel’s latest performance shows a company moving from a traditional volume-based steel business toward a more margin-focused and transformation-driven model. It is driving growth and profitability, financial performance is recovering through better margins and cost control, while the company’s key business activities are increasingly focused on downstream expansion, raw material security and low-carbon steelmaking.
May 29, 2026 16:20

Latest News

Rebar and Wire Rod Operating Rates Both Stable, Steady Production Expected Next Period
During the survey period (May 26–June 1), the rebar rolling line operating rate in the Central China region remained stable, while the capacity utilization rate edged up.
3 hours ago
[SMM Chrome Daily Review] Limited Inquiries and Sluggish Transactions, Chrome Market in the Doldrums
[SMM Chrome Daily Review: Limited Inquiries and Sluggish Transactions, Chrome Market in the Doldrums] June 1, 2026: The ferrochrome and chrome ore market fluctuated slightly...
5 hours ago
[SMM Steel] Australia Opens AD Investigation into Galvanized Steel Imports from South Korea and Vietnam
[SMM Steel] Australia's Anti-Dumping Commission has launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of zinc-coated (galvanized) steel from South Korea and Vietnam following a complaint filed by domestic producer BlueScope Steel. The investigation covers imports during January-December 2025, with allegations that the products were sold below normal value and caused material injury to Australia's domestic steel industry. The case adds to the growing number of trade remedy measures affecting global steel trade flows.
19 hours ago
[SMM Steel] US Overtakes Netherlands as Turkey’s Largest Scrap Supplier in Jan-Apr 2026
[SMM Steel] Turkey's scrap imports increased by 0.4% YoY to 6.59 million tonnes in January-April 2026, while import value rose 1.5% YoY to $2.51 billion. The US became Turkey’s largest scrap supplier, with shipments rising 34% YoY to 1.41 million tonnes, overtaking the Netherlands, whose exports fell 26.6% YoY to 861,246 tonnes. Strong growth was also recorded from Romania, while lower imports from Belgium and Germany limited overall import growth.
19 hours ago
[SMM Steel] Japan Launches AD Probe into Flat Steel Imports from China, South Korea and Taiwan
[SMM Steel] Japan has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of flat steel products, including hot-rolled and cold-rolled coils, strips, and sheets, from China, South Korea, and Taiwan. The probe, requested by major steelmakers such as Nippon Steel and JFE Steel, is expected to last one year. Japanese producers allege that imported products were sold at prices of up to 50% below fair market value, causing injury to the domestic industry. The move reflects growing concerns over global steel overcapacity and increasing trade protection measures across major steel-producing regions.
19 hours ago
[SMM Steel] Ukrainian Steel Industry Warns EU Quota Measures Could Harm Post-War Recovery
[SMM Steel] Interpipe CEO Luca Zanotti criticized the EU’s upcoming steel import restrictions, arguing that applying tariff quotas to Ukraine contradicts the EU’s previous commitment to support the country until 2028. He warned that the new measures could further pressure Ukraine’s steel sector, whose production capacity has already fallen by 80% since the start of the war, according to OECD data. Zanotti emphasized that Ukraine’s steel industry poses no threat to the EU market and highlighted ongoing challenges including labor shortages, limited power supply, and Europe’s highest electricity costs. The EU is set to tighten steel import safeguards from July 1, including raising out-of-quota duties to 50% and reducing duty-free quotas.
19 hours ago
[SMM Hot-Rolled Coil Daily Trading] Spot Trading Volume Narrowly Decreased
[SMM Hot-Rolled Coil Daily Trading] On June 1, the combined daily trading volume of hot-rolled coil from SMM's sample enterprises across four cities (Shanghai, Lecong, Tianjin, and Ningbo) totaled 13,980 mt, down 110 mt DoD (-0.8%), up 0.72% YoY (solar calendar), and up 18.74% YoY (lunar calendar).
19 hours ago
[SMM Sheets & Plates Daily Review] Costs Still Provided Support, Prices Expected to Follow a Fluctuating Trend
20 hours ago
[China Iron Ore Brief] Iron Ore Concentrates Prices in Shandong Region May Show Volatile Trends
[China Iron Ore Brief Review] This week, the pre-tax ex-factory price of 64-grade alkaline concentrates (dry basis) at mines and beneficiation plants in Shandong was reported at 868, down 12. Local mines and beneficiation plants mostly maintained normal production as planned, but overall iron ore concentrates resources remained relatively tight. However, most miners had certain inventory levels and were able to maintain shipments, making it difficult for overall supply and demand to see significant changes. Steel mills were relatively cautious in their current procurement, mainly purchasing as needed, and overall market transactions were relatively sluggish. Recently, iron ore futures showed relatively volatile trends. Influenced by this, local iron ore concentrates prices are expected to
20 hours ago
Tangshan Qian'an Raises Steel Billet Prices by 10 to 3,030 Yuan/mt on June 1
[Steel Billet Price Adjustment] On June 1, Tangshan Qian'an plain square billet resources were raised by 10 ex-factory, tax included, quoted at 3,030. (yuan/mt) [SMM Steel]
20 hours ago
Iron Ore Supply Pressure Intensifies, Prices in the Doldrums [SMM Imported Ore Daily Brief]
21 hours ago
[Shagang June 2026 Hot-Rolled Steel Price Adjustment Information]
On June 1, Shagang steel mill adjusted ex-factory prices for hot-rolled steel. This adjustment was based on "Shagang's May 2026 Hot-Rolled Steel Price Adjustment Information issued on May 1." The specific adjustment details are as follows: ① The price of hot-rolled coil Q235B was raised by 100 from the previous period. The current execution price of Q235B 5.75*1500*C hot-rolled coil is 3,700 yuan/mt. The above adjustments are all tax-inclusive, effective from June 1, 2026. [SMM Steel]
21 hours ago
[SMM Steel Shipping] Last Week China's Total Steel Exports Rose 16% WoW
During this period, steel port departures from China's main ports totaled 2.2776 million mt, up 16% WoW.
21 hours ago
[SMM Coking Coal and Coke Daily Brief] 20260601
[SMM Coking Coal and Coke Daily Brief] News: Market rumors suggested that some steel mills raised wet-quenched coke prices by 50 yuan/mt and coke dry quenching prices by 55 yuan/mt, effective from 00:00 on June 3, 2026. In terms of supply, affected by rising production costs and tightening safety supervision, coke producers' production enthusiasm was constrained, with some experiencing passive production restrictions. Additionally, with smooth shipments, coke producers' coke inventory generally remained at low levels. Demand side, steel mills maintained moderate profitability, and overall hot metal production continued to fluctuate at highs, supporting strong rigid demand for coke. Some steel mills with low inventory were still actively restocking. Overall, the coke supply-demand pattern remained tight. In the short term, the coke market is expected to hold up well, with strong expectations for the fifth round of coke price increases to be implemented.
21 hours ago
[Market Insight]: US–China Copper Scrap Trade Faces Structural Shift Amid Potential Export Restrictions
[Market Insight]: US–China Copper Scrap Trade Faces Structural Shift Amid Potential Export Restrictions
The global copper scrap market is entering a period of structural tightening as geopolitical tensions and industrial policy increasingly reshape trade flows. The relationship between the United States and China sits at the center of this transition, particularly as Washington considers restricting exports of high-quality copper scrap in 2027 while China remains heavily dependent on imported secondary copper feedstock. China’s copper scrap imports remained strong in 2024 at 441,080 MT, underscoring continued demand from secondary refiners serving the EV, renewable energy, power grid, and manufacturing sectors. However, imports have collapsed in 2025 to 143,271 MT, with current projections for 2026 falling further to just 5,305 MT. The sharp decline signals a rapid deterioration in China’s direct access to imported scrap feedstock amid rising geopolitical friction and tariffs. China’s existing 10% tariff on US-origin scrap has already reduced the competitiveness of direct shipments, although clean high-grade material has continued to move because of favorable processing economics. Trade flows indicate that copper scrap is increasingly being rerouted through Southeast Asia rather than moving directly from the United States into China. US copper scrap exports to ASEAN rose from 170,687 tonnes in 2024 to 222,993 tonnes in 2025, while Chinese imports of copper scrap from ASEAN increased from 434,176 tonnes to 529,345 tonnes over the same period. The correlation strongly suggests ASEAN is emerging as a critical intermediary hub for scrap aggregation, processing, blending, and re-export into China. This shift reflects a broader restructuring of the global scrap trade as market participants adapt to tariffs, geopolitical risk, and the growing probability of tighter controls on high-quality US scrap exports. Countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are increasingly functioning as alternative routing channels within the global secondary copper supply chain. The timing is significant because the United States continues to export around 1 million tonnes of copper scrap globally in 2025 while domestic secondary refinery production remains limited at approximately 50kt. This imbalance is becoming central to the policy debate in Washington. As US demand for copper accelerates through grid modernization, electrification, AI-driven data center expansion, and defense manufacturing, policymakers are increasingly questioning whether high-grade recyclable copper should continue flowing overseas while the US remains dependent on imported refined copper. Current policy discussions focus on retaining a larger share of premium copper scrap within the domestic market beginning as early as 2027. Although proposals currently stop short of a full export ban, any retention mechanism would still materially reduce export availability for high-quality grades such as bare bright copper and No.1 copper scrap. For China, tighter access to premium scrap has important implications beyond the secondary market. High-quality scrap directly competes with refined copper cathode because it offers high recovery rates with lower processing intensity than primary smelting. If imported scrap availability continues to tighten, Chinese refiners will likely need to increase refined copper purchases to maintain output levels. This dynamic could become increasingly supportive for refined copper markets globally. The primary copper market is already facing structural constraints from weak mine supply growth, declining ore grades, permitting delays, and years of underinvestment in new projects. A simultaneous tightening in high-grade scrap availability would amplify pressure on refined copper balances precisely as demand linked to electrification continues to strengthen. As a result, the market could see narrower scrap discounts relative to cathode, firmer copper premiums in Asia, and increased volatility across both COMEX and LME pricing. The secondary copper market is therefore becoming an increasingly important variable in the broader refined copper outlook. Ultimately, the copper scrap market is no longer operating purely on economic arbitrage. Strategic resource security is becoming a defining driver of trade flows and policy decisions. The rapid growth in ASEAN intermediary trade, combined with collapsing direct Chinese scrap imports and growing US policy intervention, signals that the global copper supply chain is entering a new phase of fragmentation — one that is likely to tighten both scrap and refined copper markets into 2026 and beyond. Author: Shairaz Ahmed, Principal Market Analyst For more information or to discuss market dynamics, you can contact me on shairazahmed@smm.cn
May 26, 2026 17:23
Chinese firms dominate Guinea alumina expansion, potentially shifting the country from bauxite exporter into alumina hub
Chinese firms dominate Guinea alumina expansion, potentially shifting the country from bauxite exporter into alumina hub
May 27, 2026 13:10
[SMM Analysis] Q1 2026 Global ESS Shipments: Competitive Landscape Undergoes Fundamental Shifts
[SMM Analysis] Q1 2026 Global ESS Shipments: Competitive Landscape Undergoes Fundamental Shifts
May 27, 2026 10:44
EU Restricts High-Risk Inverters! New Hurdles for Chinese Firms in European Solar Market!?[SMM Analysis]
EU Restricts High-Risk Inverters! New Hurdles for Chinese Firms in European Solar Market!?[SMM Analysis]
May 24, 2026 17:52
Silver: Why the $100 mark is both within reach and dangerous
Silver: Why the $100 mark is both within reach and dangerous
23 hours ago
Solid-State Battery Monthly (May 2026): Semi-Solid EVs Launch, All-Solid Targets  $0.15/Wh
Solid-State Battery Monthly (May 2026): Semi-Solid EVs Launch, All-Solid Targets  $0.15/Wh
May 30, 2026 21:06
[SMM Analysis] Tata Steel’s Two-Speed Transformation: Record India Earnings Confront Europe’s Green Steel Challenge
[SMM Analysis] Tata Steel’s Two-Speed Transformation: Record India Earnings Confront Europe’s Green Steel Challenge
May 29, 2026 16:20
Latest News
SMM Weekly Maintenance Summary on June 1
1 min ago
Ferrosilicon and Other Items (BG2026050123) / Low-Aluminum Ferrosilicon Tender Announcement
24 mins ago
A Mine in Henan Sold 132 mt of Molybdenum Concentrates via Tender
3 hours ago
Rebar and Wire Rod Operating Rates Both Stable, Steady Production Expected Next Period
3 hours ago
[SMM Chrome Daily Review] Limited Inquiries and Sluggish Transactions, Chrome Market in the Doldrums
5 hours ago
[SMM Steel] Australia Opens AD Investigation into Galvanized Steel Imports from South Korea and Vietnam
19 hours ago
[SMM Steel] US Overtakes Netherlands as Turkey’s Largest Scrap Supplier in Jan-Apr 2026
19 hours ago
[SMM Steel] Japan Launches AD Probe into Flat Steel Imports from China, South Korea and Taiwan
19 hours ago
[SMM Steel] Ukrainian Steel Industry Warns EU Quota Measures Could Harm Post-War Recovery
19 hours ago
[SMM Hot-Rolled Coil Daily Trading] Spot Trading Volume Narrowly Decreased
19 hours ago
MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (June 1)
19 hours ago
6.1 SMM Global Steel Daily Report
19 hours ago
[SMM Steel] Japan's Steel Exports Decline Amid Weak Demand Across Asia
20 hours ago
[SMM Sheets & Plates Daily Review] Costs Still Provided Support, Prices Expected to Follow a Fluctuating Trend
20 hours ago
[China Iron Ore Brief] Iron Ore Concentrates Prices in Shandong Region May Show Volatile Trends
20 hours ago
Tangshan Qian'an Raises Steel Billet Prices by 10 to 3,030 Yuan/mt on June 1
20 hours ago
Iron Ore Supply Pressure Intensifies, Prices in the Doldrums [SMM Imported Ore Daily Brief]
21 hours ago
[Shagang June 2026 Hot-Rolled Steel Price Adjustment Information]
21 hours ago
[SMM Steel Shipping] Last Week China's Total Steel Exports Rose 16% WoW
21 hours ago
[SMM Coking Coal and Coke Daily Brief] 20260601
21 hours ago